Newtown High School's girls' swimming and diving team began the season with an 85-75 victory over host Bunnell of Stratford on September 8, then dropped a hard-fought battle with visiting Brookfield, 97-89, on September 12.The Bee.

Despite the loss to Brookfield, Newtown Coach Becky Osborne took home some positives given the opponent is traditionally one of the most competitive in the South-West Conference.

"We knew Brookfield was going to be tough. I thought the girls really stepped it up," Osborne said. "For a meet this early in the season the girls put up some good times and gave Brookfield a run for their money."

Newtown's 200 yard freestyle relay team of Mary Hufziger, Emmi DeSousa, Olivia Renkert, and Maddie Carter placed first in a time of 2:00.30.

Carter also took first in the 100 butterfly in 1:05.36. Hufziger won the 100 free in 55.17, and earned first in the 100 backstroke, clocking in with a time of 1:02.76.

Newtown's 400 free relay team also came out on top as Julia DiMartino, Caroline Mahoney, Emma Riebe, and Hufziger finished in a time of 4:00.92.

The Hawks viewed this meet as a good early tune-up for the conference and state championships.

"It's nice to have competition early in the season because it motivates the girls to know what they need to do for SWCs and for the tough competition at the end of the season," Osborne said.

"It was really exciting - back and forth," added DiMartino, a captain. "It prepares us for SWCs and states."

Read the complete article in the September 15 print edition of